Israel Plans Gaza City Occupation Amid Global Backlash, Rising Civilian Toll

Israel's recently approved plan to take control of Gaza City has sparked widespread international condemnation and deepened fears among local residents. The plan, sanctioned by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet, aims to dismantle Hamas's control and establish an alternative civil administration, but critics argue it could lead to severe displacement, environmental damage, and exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Pakistan and Hamas have strongly denounced the move as an expansion of a 'genocidal' campaign and a new war crime, while EU leaders have urged a reconsideration and Germany has suspended arms shipments. Gaza residents express defiance, with many refusing to evacuate despite repeated displacement and the prospect of forced relocation to southern Gaza, an area they also consider unsafe. Analysts suggest Israel's decision is a strategic gamble intended to pressure Hamas into negotiations by changing the conflict dynamics, but warn it risks triggering a prolonged insurgency and further destabilizing the region. The plan's multifaceted geopolitical, humanitarian, and environmental implications continue to fuel global debate over the future of Gaza.